The state Capitol is surrounded by trees in this aerial view of downtown Sacramento. The city, though picturesque, was not rated in the top 25 “Happiest Cities in the United States,” as ranked by a National Geographic. Randy Penchrpench@sacbee.com

The state Capitol is surrounded by trees in this aerial view of downtown Sacramento. The city, though picturesque, was not rated in the top 25 “Happiest Cities in the United States,” as ranked by a National Geographic. Randy Penchrpench@sacbee.com

Sacramento not a happy place?

Eight coastal California communities made the top 25 “Happiest Cities in the United States,” as ranked by a National Geographic November cover story, but Sacramento or any other interior area in the state was deemed not as chipper.

First, here is National Geographic’s methodology: Author Dan Buettner and Gallup’s social scientists “teamed up to develop an index that assesses measurable expressions of happiness and identifies where Americans are living their best lives. Designed by Gallup senior scientist Dan Witters, the study established 15 metrics – from eating healthy and learning something new every day to civic engagement, financial security, vacation time, and even dental checkups – that signal happiness. The National Geographic Gallup Special/Blue Zones Index draws on nearly 250,000 interviews conducted with adults from 2014 to 2015 in 190 metropolitan areas across the U.S.”

OK, now the winner: Boulder, Colo. National Geographic explains, “This mountain town has it all – scenery, culture, and a world-class quality of life … Per capita, more people walk to work in Boulder than in any other city in the U.S. Low rates of smoking and obesity, and high rates of exercise, contribute to the satisfaction locals feel.”

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Happiest runner-up is the Santa Cruz/Watsonville area, which “boasts beautiful beaches, a family-friendly boardwalk, and one of the state’s oldest amusement parks – all overlooking stunning Monterey Bay,” the magazine reports.

Other California areas that cracked the top 25:

5.) San Luis Obispo/Paso Robles/Arroyo Grande

6.) San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara

12.) Santa Maria/Santa Barbara

13.) Salinas

17.) San Francisco/Oakland/Hayward

20.) Oxnard/Thousand Oaks/Ventura

23.) San Diego/Carlsbad

Take heart, Sacramento. The capital city not rated as the least happiest places. That honor goes to Charleston, W.V.; Fort Smith, Ark. and Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, N.C.

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